More than two in five employees considering career outside hospitality despite rise in job satisfaction
Data from the ‘Getting Retention Right’ report, produced by CGA by NIQ and Harri, reveals that nearly three-quarters (74%) of employees in the sector feel satisfied in their current hospitality job role — an increase of 13 percentage points since the last survey in 2022 — and over a quarter (27%) say they have actively chosen hospitality as their career path, which is four percentage points more than 12 months ago.
However, some 42% of hospitality workers are still likely to consider a career change.
Despite this, operators and managers are looking at the higher levels of employee satisfaction with cautious optimism, with pay up and well-being a growing priority.
Some 62% of industry leaders feel optimistic about prospects for their business over the next 12 months, and two-thirds (67%) of respondents agree with the statement that ‘hospitality offers a good and worthwhile career’.
“It’s good to see that increasing numbers of hospitality professionals feel content and motivated—but with two in five considering a change of career path, job satisfaction in this sector remains precarious,” says Tristan Spencer, Harri’s SVP Sales UK.
“Businesses know that further improvements are needed at every step of their teams’ journeys, from recruitment and onboarding onwards. Investment in digital engagement solutions can help employees feel more valued and better at their jobs while substantially reducing the high costs of recruitment.”
A third (30%) of staff say their employer supports a good work-life balance, up from 19% a year ago — but the report suggests more support is still needed.
More than a third of employees say they look for honesty (41%), equality (35%), or mutual respect (34%) when searching for a job, so employers that communicate positive values can 'get a head start in recruitment'.
Only a fifth (20%) of employees currently think their business’ technology for staff is very advanced, and there is substantial potential to make better use of online platforms in tasks like payroll, communications, and shift and holiday management, the report adds.
“High staff shortages and turnover have been a huge challenge for the hospitality sector in recent years, but our research shows businesses are making good progress on their engagement strategies,” says Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA.
“It’s already paying dividends in improved satisfaction, and in time should help to bring down turnover and overcome some negative stereotypes to finally earn hospitality the reputation it deserves as a great place to build a career.”
Restaurant recently released a free-to-download Staffing Report, which not only identifies the challenges the industry faces but explores the options available to businesses when trying to address these issues. To find out more and to download your own copy of the report, click here.
